Description
The Supermicro X8DT3i-LN4F motherboard represents the pinnacle of technological excellence, leveraging the incredible capabilities of the Intel 5520 platform to deliver exceptional performance and an extensive feature set. This motherboard is purpose-built for dual-processor-based high-end systems and has been fine-tuned for optimal performance in various scenarios, including workstations, High-Performance Computing (HPC) systems, and demanding applications. At its core, it harnesses the power of the Intel 5520 platform, comprising the 5500/5600 Series processors (LGA 1366), the 5520 North Bridge, and the ICH10R South Bridge. This platform is a marvel of modern computing, thanks to the integration of the QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) controller, setting new standards in system interconnectivity and performance.
Intel 5520 Platform Power:
The X8DT3i-LN4F motherboard draws its strength from the Intel 5520 platform, which features the 5500/5600 Series processors, the 5520 North Bridge, and the ICH10R South Bridge. This platform introduces the groundbreaking QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) controller, making it the first dual-processing platform to embrace the next-generation point-to-point system interconnect interface, replacing the aging Front Side Bus Technology. This monumental shift translates into a significant boost in system performance, characterized by enhanced bandwidth and scalability.
The 5520 North Bridge plays a pivotal role by establishing an independent QuickPath Interconnect link with each processor. These links boast an impressive 20 pairs of unidirectional differential lanes for data transfer, complemented by a differential forwarded clock. A single full-width QuickPath interconnect link pair comprises a staggering 84 signals. Each processor supports two QuickPath links, with one connecting to the other processor and the other directly to the 5520 North Bridge.
High-speed Connectivity and RAS Features:
The 5520 platform provides robust connectivity, accommodating up to 36 PCI Express Gen2 lanes that facilitate efficient peer-to-peer read and write transactions. The ICH10R South Bridge complements this with support for up to 6 PCI-Express ports, six SATA ports, and 10 USB connections, ensuring seamless integration with a wide array of peripherals and devices.
Moreover, the 5520 platform incorporates an extensive range of Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability (RAS) features. These encompass memory interface ECC, x4/x8 Single Device Data Correction (SDDC), Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC), parity protection, out-of-band register access via SMBus, memory mirroring, and memory sparing.
Key Features of the 5500/5600 Series Processor and the 5520 Chipset:
– Each processor boasts four cores, accompanied by an 8MB shared cache among the cores.
– The platform showcases two full-width Intel QuickPath Interconnect links, capable of achieving an astounding 6.4 GT/s of data transfer rate in both directions.
– Support for Virtualization Technology and Integrated Management Engine enhances the platform’s capabilities.
– The point-to-point cache coherent interconnect ensures efficient data exchange, offering fast/narrow unidirectional links and concurrent bi-directional traffic.
– Robust error detection mechanisms, including CRC checks and Link-level retries, ensure data integrity.
Special Features and Management:
The X8DT3i-LN4F motherboard encompasses a host of specialized features and robust management capabilities, including:
Recovery from AC Power Loss: The BIOS provides user-configurable settings to determine the system’s response to AC power loss and restoration. Users can choose to keep the system powered off, requiring manual power-on, or opt for automatic power-on. The default setting is Last State.
PC Health Monitoring: This motherboard includes an onboard System Hardware Monitor chip that continuously scans essential onboard voltages, such as CPU Vcore, CPU DIMM, 1.5V, 3.3Vcc, 3.3V SB, 12Vcc, 5Vin, and Battery Voltage. Any voltage instability triggers warnings or error messages, with adjustable thresholds allowing users to fine-tune voltage monitor sensitivity.
Fan Status Monitor with Firmware Control: The PC health monitor keeps a vigilant eye on the RPM status of cooling fans, with onboard CPU and chassis fans being controlled through BIOS-based Thermal Management under Hardware Monitoring settings in the Advanced Setup.
Environmental Temperature Control: Real-time CPU temperature monitoring results in the activation of the thermal control fan if the CPU temperature surpasses user-defined thresholds. The overheat circuitry operates independently from the CPU, automatically activating thermal fan control to prevent CPU overheating. The onboard chassis thermal circuitry monitors overall system temperature and alerts users to excessive chassis temperatures, emphasizing the importance of adequate system airflow.
System Resource Alert: This feature comes to life when used in conjunction with Supero Doctor III in a Windows OS environment or with Supero Doctor II in Linux. Supero Doctor is a vital tool for notifying users of critical system events, allowing for timely responses. Users can configure Supero Doctor to issue warnings when system temperature, CPU temperatures, voltages, and fan speeds deviate from predefined ranges.
ACPI Features: Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) support is instrumental in enabling seamless integration of power management features across the hardware, operating system, and application software layers. ACPI empowers the system to efficiently manage peripherals, such as CD-ROMs, network cards, hard disk drives, and printers, by automatically turning them on or off as needed.
Suspend-State Indicator: When the CPU enters a suspend state, the chassis power LED initiates a slow blinking pattern, signaling the CPU’s status. Upon pressing any key, the CPU awakens from its slumber, causing the LED to cease blinking and remain steadily lit.
Main Switch Override Mechanism: With an ATX power supply in use, the power button takes on an additional role as a system suspend button, ushering the system into a SoftOff state. During this state, the monitor goes to sleep, and the hard drive spins down. Subsequent pressing of the power button restores the entire system to an active state. Notably, the ATX power supply continues providing power to essential circuitry to sustain its functionality. In cases of system malfunction requiring immediate shutdown, a simple 4-second press and hold of the power button accomplishes this task. These options are configurable within the Power section of the BIOS Setup routine.
Wake-On-LAN (WOL): Wake-On-LAN functionality enables a management application to remotely power up a computer that is currently powered off. This feature is invaluable for remote PC setup, updates, and asset tracking, allowing such operations to occur outside regular hours to minimize daily LAN traffic and user interruptions. The motherboard is equipped with a 3-pin header for WOL, which connects to the 3-pin header on a Network Interface Card (NIC) with WOL capability. Additionally, an onboard LAN controller offers WOL support without requiring a connection to the WOL header. It’s essential to note that Wake-On-LAN necessitates the use of an ATX 2.01 (or newer) compliant power supply.
Power Supply:The motherboard accommodates 24-pin ATX power supplies, with a crucial emphasis on the inclusion of two 12V 8-pin power connections to ensure a reliable and ample power supply to the system. This attention to power integrity is particularly crucial for processors with high CPU clock rates. It is imperative to utilize
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